Jim Spellman/WireImageKatie Couric is mourning the loss of her mother and "best friend," Elinor Hene Couric, who has died at age 91.
The 57-year-old veteran newswoman, former Today show personality and Yahoo Global News anchor revealed the news on Thursday and penned touching tributes to her mom on social media.
Katie posted a photo of her mother, which is dated June 21, on her Twitter page, saying, "My heart is broken. I lost my mom and best friend. We love you and miss you, Mom/Granny."
My heart is broken. I lost my mom and best friend. We love you and miss you, Mom/Granny. pic.twitter.com/gamqIxqlIz
? Katie Couric (@katiecouric) September 4, 2014"She loved fiercely and was fiercely loved," Couric added on Facebook.
Elinor, whose cause of death was not revealed, is survived by Katie and two other children, Clara Couric Bachelor and John M. Couric Jr., and their families. Elinor's husband and their father, John M. Couric, died at age 90 in 2011 after battling Parkinson's disease. Katie had also lost her first husband, Jay Monahan, in 1998 and her eldest sister, Emily Couric, in 2001. Both died of cancer.
Katie and her late husband had two daughters—Caroline, nicknamed Carrie and now 18, and Elinor, nicknamed Ellie, who is 23 and was named after her grandmother.
In June, Katie married John Molner. The two attended the U.S. Open together a day before she announced the tragic news about her mother.
Katie had occasionally shared on social media sweet family photos and videos featuring her mother.
On Friday, Katie is set to join celebrities such as Steve Carell, Robert Downey Jr. and Halle Berry at the 2014 Stand Up to Cancer telethon, which will air on several channels, including E!, at 8 p.m. ET.
Hours before the fundraiser, Katie thanked fans for their kind messages regarding the loss of her mom.
Thanks 4 ur kind and loving words. Mom was proud of @StandUpToCancer so I am here. But my world and the world at large seems terribly off.
? Katie Couric (@katiecouric) September 5, 2014